A new beginning

Aman Vashist,XII B
Kalka Public School,Alaknanda
* Obama referred to India as an “incredible country” several times during his speech. He saluted the country,stated that Gandhiji was his role model and won the people’s hearts with his implausible speech. His three-day trip to India improved Indo-US relations to a great extent. Business was on the top of Obama’s agenda for his India trip,with more than a dozen export deals — worth about $10 billion — inked so far. It also created anticipation for a great number of job opportunities for India as well as USA,seeking to double trade between these countries. Even the Indian software industry is looking forward to work with Obama and his administration to spur innovation,foster economic growth and develop a skilled workforce to create jobs in both the countries. Not only has the US President’s visit strengthened the bonds between the two countries.

Shubrata Shastriy,X B
Cambridge School,Indirapuram
* Today,India is no longer a third-world country; it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. America,on its part,is looking at India as a potential strategic partner in various areas. There were many reasons behind US President Barack Obama visiting India. He utilised every opportunity to interact with the youth,so as to have a fair idea of their perspective of recession-prone America. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had series of high-level discussions with Obama on critical issues,including several areas of mutual interest. America’s apprehensions on outsourcing were put to rest when Singh reassured it that India was not in the business of taking jobs. India and US agreed on many bilateral issues for generating employment and ensuring that we left behind a greener globe for future generations. In his address to the Parliament,Obama told Indian politicians that India had an active role to play in the South Asian continent as well as the global forum. Sharing India’s concerns on terrorism,he said that all militants should be brought to book,and assured its people that Pakistan will be made to purge anti-social elements from its soil. Obama’s high-level delegation may have surely taken note of the indispensible role that the Indian economy .

Aprajita Agrawal,X A
Amity International School,Mayur Vihar
* Barack Obama’s visit to India was indeed a harbinger of good tidings. He not only charmed his way into the hearts of the common man but also managed to break the ‘cold war’ ice,ironing out all differences. His $16 billion trade deal stands to open the doors to trade and commerce. Recognising India’s economic potential and growing military prowess,Obama has expressed interest in the country — a move that will pave the way for India to become a superpower in the 21st Century. Obama’s visit has not only sealed many pending deals but also ensured access to America’s dual technology,which will insure India’s success across the entire spectrum — including counter-terrorism,space,agriculture,health,trade and economic sphere,nuclear energy and a UNSC seat.

This golden handshake will beget India global recognition — a win-win situation,indeed.

Ankur Mulasi,IX-B
New State Academy Sr.Sec.School,Pitampura
* Four major things stand to come out of Obama’s visit to India — creation of jobs,nuclear bill liability,enhancement of trade relations and India’s membership in multilateral forums. Obama’s election as President led to the creation of over 54,000 jobs in the US,helping a lot of people who were rendered unemployed during the recession. Besides this,India received US backing for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group. The US support for India’s entry into the United Nations Security Council would not only elevate its status but also provide Indian expats with an opportunity to figure in international forums. Is the visit concretising Indo-US relations? Can this be used as foundation for handling global issues? Can it be used to destroy negative setbacks? Let’s see how it plays out.

Bhakti Anand,XI E
The Mother’s International School,Sri Aurobindo Marg
* President Barack Obama was here in India as a part of his 10-day visit to Asia. It was very fruitful from India’s point of view as,among other things,the President unveiled new export policies to make it easier for the US to trade with India. The other agreements promised to boost the Indian economy,which is already improving at a steady rate. Obama’s public endorsement of India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat gave a much-needed thrust to Indo-US relations. The icing on the cake was his proclamation of Mahatma Gandhi as a ‘hero not just for India but also the world’. India also appreciated it when Obama slammed Pakistan for harbouring terrorists on its soil. India will benefit a lot economically if the President works towards fulfilling his desire of building a global partnership with India to handle global challenges — economic as well as security-related. “India and the US stand united,” the President had said. Hope it always does.

Ketan Bhatt,XI A
DAV Public School,Sreshtha Vihar
* Today,India and the US share an extensive cultural,strategic,military and economic relationship. With the US replacing Russia as India’s largest military supplier,we foresee a brighter Indo-US partnership in the near future.

Not withstanding USA’s own dilemma — to keep ally Pakistan in good humour and engage with India,an emerging global power,at the same time — Obama announced a series of steps that worked towards cementing relations between the two countries. Indian organisations were removed from ‘restricted entities list’,forging significant partnerships in high-tech sectors. He reaffirmed support to India in the MTCR,Wassenaar Arrangement and the NSG,besides strengthening India’s political stance in the international community. India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UNSC also received support. Supply of defence hardware,dual-use technologies,power generating equipment,etc, received Obama’s support. They will help improve Indian industry,besides boosting investment and cooperation between India and the US. Harley-Davidson,Cummins and Eaton Corps have decided to set up units in India. Obama’s declaration that “India is not emerging,it has emerged”,has widened Indian horizons for US investments.

For India,these developments mean greater trust in India’s high-tech sector and herald a new era in Indo-US industrial partnership.

ARINDAM SOM – X B
Ryan International School,Mayur Vihar
* The US is indulging in a game that involves the balance of power,in view of China’s rise. Realising that India is a power that can counter China’s influence in the global arena,it has increased the scope for Indian investments in the US. India’s higher education system also stands to be uplifted and made to benefit vastly from exchange programmes with its US counterparts. Indo-US relations are developing rapidly and very soon,we will be among its top ten trade partners. While a contract to supply the Indian Air Force with 126 fighter jets will strengthen our defence front,the $10 billion trade deal with New Delhi will create more than 50,000 US jobs. A permanent seat in the UN Security Council will be of great help to India too. Through the agreements signed,India will emerge as one of the most powerful countries in the world.

Vaishali Talwar,XI C
Sadhu Vaswani International School For Girls,Shanti Niketan

A schools’ initiative from The Indian express
US President Barack Obama was here with his wife,Michelle,from November 6 to 9. When Quest asked school students to give their opinion on whether the visit had benefitted Indian economy and trade,most responded in the positive. While some said the relationship will help further the cause of global democracy,others said it would work wonders for the

Indian economy.